Blog

Congratulations to new member Jarlath Rooney who walked off with the Presidents Cup!!

12 members and 7 guests played Abridge Golf Club on a chilly but dry autumnal day. The course played well despite being a bit wet and suffering from some extensive earthworks which I’m sure will improve the playing conditions even further if the future.

All enjoyed a Bacon Roll on arrival, 18 holes and a very filling 3-course dinner.

Guest Paul Lewis (also the photographer for most shots)won the Nearest the Pin with Rob Seeley taking the Nearest the Pin in 2 on 18.The team prize was very closely contested with 2 teams on 39. 2 on 40 and 2 on 41 points with Michael Salmon and David Wannerton narrowly taking the money!!Seen here receiving the prize from Captain Iain Stevenson!!

The Guest Prize was secured by Robin Harkins on a magnificent 36 points

The Presidents Cup was presented through gritted teeth by Iain Stevenson on 37 points (Cut 1) who lost on last 6 count-back to Jarlath (Cut 2) 

You missed a treat if you weren’t there!! Here is a picture of the clubhouse coming up the 18th!!

A great course and company. Dyrham Park looked after us magnificently and a good time was had by all. (as can be seen from the photos to follow!!

Thanks to all who attended and contributed to the ball sweep which generated £250 for our charity Rosie’s Rainbow Fund.

As a precursor to the main prize-giving, Neil Blundy (2019 Captain) presented the outgoing Autumn Cup winner Michael Trott with his replica trophy from 2 years ago.

Nearest the Pin and Nearest the Pin in 2 were both won by guests namely Mario Phylacto and Ian Cunningham

respectively!!!

The scoring was close in all other categories was very close in the team with 4 teams on 43 points narrowly missing out to Matthew Jones and Bryan Casemore on 44 points. Both Bryan and James Barrett won other prizes so the other winning team prize went to James’s playing partner Chris Sunderland (not pictured as he had to leave early!!). They were second in the team on countback!!

So the winner of the guest prize on 36 points was Bryan Casemore.

Congratulations to him

Three players achieved a creditable 35 points – 2nd and Cut 1 was  Delwyn Jacobs (21 Back 9), 3rd – Michael Trott (17 Back 9) and 4th John Biscoe (14 Back 9).

The Autumn Cup winner this year was new(ish) member James Barratt with 36 points (cut 2)

Congratulations to James.

The next event is at Abridge on Thursday 14th October 2021

What a great day we all had at Ashridge – Perfect weather – The course in the best condition we’ve ever seen (albeit the rough was extreme), great company and the food and service provided by the club was first class.

A belated presentation was made to Digby Hebbard of the Replica Trophy of his “Player of the Year 2019” success delayed because of you know what!!!

Next Up was Oliver Tobin who won the nearest the pin in 2 on the 9th

Not present but winner of the nearest the pin on 16 was guest James Barrett

The Yellow Ball team was due to various shenanigans performed by the scorer to ensure no-one got more than one prize was won by Chris Sunderland, Rob Cowup (not in the picture), Jason Wood and  Ashley Pratt the latter two selected on merit from elsewhere!!

So Matt Jones and David Kavenagh (not picured here), who were part of winning yellow ball team and only one of two teams to bring back their yellow ball – but couldn’t win two prizes, won the  best team score from two other teams on 44 points having 23 points on the back 9 from 22 and 20 respectively!!

The Major prizes now with Phil Bowyer winning the Guest Prize with a great score of 36 (19 on the back) points from Ashley Pratt also 36 (16 on the back) and Nigel Anderson on 35

So to the Winner of the Finlinson Cup – Seen here presented by Captain  Iain Stevenson was Steve Hurworth on 36points playing off WHI 7 (Cut 2) from Matt Jones on 35 (cut a further 1)

Some great Golf played and some not so great but a very enjoyable day.

Remember to have 23rd September and 14th August in your diary as these are the next two EPIC Events

We were very well looked after at Burhill on Wednesday 26th May 2021

The weather was fine considering how bad May has been this year and the course was in great nick although playing long due to the lush fairways. Altogether a great test of golf!!

Before golf we were treated to a substantial ploughman’s lunch and after golf and foregathering in the Honours Bar we repaired to the dining area for a splendid meal and  prizegiving.

Without going into the intricacies of the scoring system (designed to limit any individual to a single prize) the results were as follows.

A reminder that we are at Ashridge on 23rd June 2021 so get it in the diary and sort out your guests.

The now traditional match between the two rival societies was held at Theydon Bois on a day which promised much rain but delivered little. The course had though suffered from previous rain and was somewhat waterlogged! Many thanks to Mike Foster for organising the club and indeed to Theydon Bois for great food and good service

The match itself couldn’t have been closer as our gallant 12 took on the BAGS in a better ball match-play competition

The early matches were nip and tuck with Charles Gjertsen and Chris Anderson as well as Steve Hurworth and Martyn Howie earning a 1/2 point (the latter were denied a win by an enormous putt on the last hole from EPIC Member Gavin Tuck playing for the opposition!!!) with Rob Seeley and Mat Jones losing. Steve Davies and Michael Foster again could have won but secured a 1/2. So it came to the last two groups. 2 wins and the trophy was ours for the first time, a win and a half and we had a drawn match!!!!

The Neils (Blundy and Meixner) delivered a win but unfortunately having been 2 up at the start Iain Stevenson and Aidan Mahoney couldn’t quite hang on and with their loss we finally had to admit defeat 3.5 to 2.5.

The closest of margins.

Next year it will be BAGS choice of venue so we’ll probably be back at Thorndon Park!!